RPMA, Cotabato City- The Autonomous Regional Government successfully launched the ARMM ‘HELPS’ Convergence last February 18, 2013 in Barangay Tubig Indangan in Simunul, about an hour ride away from Bongao, the capital town of the province of Tawi-Tawi.

Residence of the area warmly welcomed the Regional Convergence Team headed by Secretary Aquino Sajili of Department of Agrarian Reform together with the officials of the ARMM.

Local Officials expressed their gratitude of the Regional Government for providing the needed services of their constituents. They also expressed their appreciation to the convergence program of the OIC Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman.

During the launching ceremony, Barangay Captain Munding A. Bayo brought the attention of the convergence team to the most pressing issues of the area such as the need for Madrasah, Livelihood Assistance, tourism development and others.

Being known to be the origin of Islamic Civilization in the Philippines and the place where we can found the historical mosque built by the Arab trader Sheikh Makdum Karim in 1380, Brgy. Capt. Bayo also cited assistance to develop tourism centers in the area to increase work productivity of the people in Brgy. Tubig Indangan.

Secretary Sajili, in his message, explained the salient components of the convergence program and assured the local residence that the ARMM Regional Government will try to address the needs of the constituents through the program.

While the launching ceremony is on-going, some local residence took the opportunity of availing the different services brought by the regional line agencies like medical mission, supplementary feeding, provision of fishing gears/paraphernalia, agricultural seedling and many others.

The Regional Ports Management Authority managing, operating and supervising all ports within the ARMM sees to it the better delivery of port services to the stakeholders and ensure the security and safety of the visitors and passengers.

The program ended with the signing of the pledge of commitment by different stakeholders of the area including the key municipal, provincial and regional officials of the ARMM